Every widow will encounter feelings of being overwhelmed at some point in their journey. The comforting truth is that God is aware of our struggles, cares deeply, and desires to help us bear our burdens. In this 5-day Bible plan, we will take time to reflect on God’s promises and explore ways to move forward, finding strength to navigate those overwhelming emotions and situations.
Stand In The Gap Ministries
Day 1
Scripture: Isaiah 40:31
Feeling overwhelmed is a common experience that can affect anyone at any time. It is characterized by a sense of being inundated with too many responsibilities, tasks, or emotions, and can lead to feelings of anxiety, stress, and exhaustion. When we feel overwhelmed, it can be challenging to know where to start or how to move forward.
After losing our spouse, we may feel like we can’t make the decisions needed to forge our way ahead. Sometimes even the simplest tasks can feel like too much. This can often lead to further feelings of anger or failure for not being “strong enough” to handle things on our own. But it’s important to know you are not alone in your feelings. We all experience the feeling of being overwhelmed.
In Isaiah 40:31, we read, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” This verse provides a powerful reminder for those who feel overwhelmed. If we put our hope in the Lord, we can find renewed strength and energy to face our challenge
This verse compares the hope of those who trust in God to the soaring wings of eagles. Did you know, eagles are the only birds that fly in storms? When all other birds try to hide from the storm, an eagle will actually fly into it and use the wind of the storm to rise high above it. This allows them to get to altitudes they would never have been able to reach on a normal sunny day.
Just as eagles can fly high above the chaos and turmoil of the world below, we who place our hope in the Lord can rise above our seemingly overwhelming circumstances. We can allow God to use those storms to lift us higher and to help us discover a renewed sense of peace and direction.
The second part of this scripture tells us, with God’s help, we can run and not grow weary. Sometimes the season of widowhood feels like it will go on forever, or like the challenges and grief will never end. The truth is that widowhood is not a quick sprint; it is a paced marathon. But no matter how far it seems to stretch out in front of us, God promises that we can go the course without growing weary or fainting from exhaustion. We are not in this race alone. When we put our trust in God, we can find renewed strength and energy to face our challenges with resilience and courage.
QUESTIONS:
What areas tend to overwhelm you the most in this season? What part of this scripture (Isaiah 40:31) or teaching stands out to you the most? Why?
Day 2
Scriptures: Matthew 11:28-30, Isaiah 43:1-3, Isaiah 26:3
Jesus invites us, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
When this season of life begins to feel like running a race in the dark, by yourself, while carrying a very heavy backpack— overwhelming and exhausting— Matthew 11:28-30 offers a comforting message.
Jesus invites us to come to Him, to find rest from the overwhelming burdens and weariness. He offers to share our load and to guide us, through His teachings, towards a path of rest and comfort. Jesus’ burden is easy and light, and He offers us a trade if we are willing to take it. By learning from His teachings and following His example, we can find peace and rest for our souls. We don’t have to carry our burdens alone.
CHALLENGE:
This week, when you face something that makes you feel overwhelmed, take a few moments to share with God and ask Him for help in the areas you are feeling overwhelmed about. This may look like sharing specific things through prayer or just sitting quietly in His presence. Trust that He can and will help lift the burden — whether that is emotionally or physically. And don’t be surprised if He puts someone on your heart to ask for help from, or if He puts you on someone else’s heart to help.
JOURNAL:
When you feel overwhelmed this week, write down the cause of those feelings. Pray over those items and then choose to trust Him with the outcome. Write down any practical steps He might give you in your time of reflection and prayer. Write out a prayer about any overwhelming feelings you may have or be having.
Day 3
Scripture: Psalms 61:2-4
Hear my cry, O God; Listen to my prayer. From the end of the earth I call to You, when my heart is overwhelmed and weak; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I [a rock that is too high to reach without Your help]. For You have been a shelter and a refuge for me. A strong tower against the enemy. Let me dwell in Your tent forever. Let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings.
Psalm 61: 2-4 (AMP)
Psalm 61 is read as a heartfelt cry from King David. It was written when both the kingdom and his family were in division and disarray. David is feeling overwhelmed. He asks God to give him a higher perspective, to see above all the overwhelming problems in front of him. In the midst of the mess, he reminds himself that God is his refuge, his very present help in times of trouble. David knew that no matter how bad things seemed to be, there was a place he could always turn for help.
Have you ever been so overwhelmed that you felt paralyzed to move forward, or so emotionally exhausted that you knew if you had to make one more decision you would end up a puddle on the floor? Maybe the breaking moment came when you were working through the bills and logistics in the weeks after your husband passed. Maybe it was months later, in the produce section, while shopping for groceries, or when you were stuck in traffic between your son’s baseball game and your daughter’s dance rehearsal.
The good news is that you are not emotionally unstable, you are not a weak woman, and you are not crazy. Having those moments where you feel overwhelmed is normal. In fact, they will happen to all of us. But we cannot allow those moments to completely paralyze us from moving forward. David prayed, “I call as my heart grows faint; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” In other words, he’s asking God, ”Lead me forward; help me see this from a higher perspective, It’s too big for me, but I know it’s not too big for You!” God can and will help you move forward and all He asks of us is to cry out and share those burdens with Him. So do that today with whatever overwhelming thing(s) you may be facing.
QUESTIONS:
Have you ever felt embarrassed about being emotional? What has helped you in those emotional moments?
Day 4
Scriptures: Luke 1:37, Psalms 27:13-14, Zephaniah 3:17
“For nothing will be impossible with God.”
Luke 1:37 (ESV)
Nothing is impossible with God. If we read over these words too fast, we can neglect to recognize the power in this short scripture. Nothing is impossible with God. No matter how big the mountain in front of us, no matter how overwhelmed we may feel, no matter the problems we are facing, with God, we can do anything. He is not limited by our current circumstances or the limitations of our own abilities. He is capable of making the impossible possible. Any problem that we can’t figure out on our own, when God is added to the equation, becomes possible to solve.
As a widow who may feel alone and overwhelmed by the challenges that come with this new life, these words can be incredibly empowering and encouraging. God is always with us, even in our darkest times. He understands our pain and sorrow but also knows what we are capable of achieving through Him.
With God’s help, we can have strength to face each day with courage and faith. In Him, we have the ability, wisdom, and resources we need to move forward each day, one step at a time.
CHALLENGE:
This week, when you face something that makes you feel overwhelmed, instead of dwelling on those overwhelming feelings, say this out loud: “Nothing is impossible with God. So, with God, this isn’t impossible for me either. I can handle this.” You may not feel it, but keep saying it in faith. Then pray and invite God into the problem. Trust that he is going to show you how to handle what you are facing one step at a time.
JOURNAL:
Write down one or two times in your past when you faced something seemingly impossible but came through to the other side (a test, a physical challenge, a work project, a season in parenting or marriage). How did God show himself faithful? Write out a prayer about any overwhelming feelings you may be having.
Day 5
Scriptures: Isaiah 40:31, Matthew 11:28-30, Isaiah 43:1-3, Isaiah 26:3, Psalms 61:2-4, Luke 1:37, Psalms 27:13-14, Zephaniah 3:17
God has given us some encouragement over the last 4 days of this Bible Plan. He has reminded us that He is our hope. That He wants to carry our burdens. He taught us how to cry out to Him in our pain and weakness, just like King David. He also reminded us that nothing is impossible with Him.
God’s Word is not just full of helpful suggestions, it is a living and breathing entity that provides encouragement to us just where we are. God wants to walk with us through our grief journey. He does not want us to walk this journey in our own strength or power, instead, He wants to walk with us and even carry us when we are too exhausted to walk on our own. He knows that this journey can be overwhelming, and He does not ask us to run and hide or pretend like we aren’t overwhelmed, instead, He wants to share in our pain, anxiety, and fears. He is a truly loving Father.
Widowhood will be full of moments where you feel frozen and unable to move, make a decision, or even be around people. Those moments are normal and okay to have and feel. The difference in our journeys with God, is that He wants to share in all those feelings. So, when we want to stay frozen, anxious, and afraid, He will help you through those things step-by-step. Don’t lose hope! Don’t feel like you will always be stuck or that you are alone. Also, remember that it is a step-by-step practice. It is so easy to look at the full picture and think you’ll never be able to accomplish all the things on your own, but remember one step at a time (and with our amazing God’s help).
JOURNAL:
Spend some time reflecting on what you have been able to accomplish since your spouse passed. It may be a small thing like changing your first air filters or light bulb on your own, write them down, one by one. Then spend some time thanking God for each of those things you have been able to accomplish with His help.
CHALLENGE:
As you finish this plan, don’t forget to practice the things we’ve learned when you are feeling overwhelmed. First of all, pray, pray, and pray some more. Secondly, read these scriptures and meditate on them and listen to God’s Words of encouragement. Finally, just take one step at a time. In those overwhelming moments, those steps may seem small, but any step forward (no matter how small) is a step forward.